So, Ben Cherington pulls off the biggest trade since Nomar, frees up nearly $80 MILLION in payroll, unloads some major (and not so major baggage) acquire a replacement 1st baseman, 2 top prospects, and 2 PTBN from the Dodgers…

And, they lose a 6 run lead for the 2nd time in less than a week…

DO and Rem Dawg were talking last night, when they were winning 9-3, that perhaps the change will be the impetus this team needs to go on a tear, and perhaps even get back into it..

Nope. Not happening.

And this time, we cannot even blame Aaron Cook, who on 3-days rest, took the place of the traded Josh Beckett, and did exactly what the Sox needed him to do..

His line: 6 innings, (72 pitches, 47 for strikes), and only gave up the 3 runs (in the 1st inning) on 7 hits while walking 1. Completely competent…

But then the bullpen IMPLODED, with Andrew Miller giving up 4 runs and then Melancon AND Breslow allowed BOTH of their inherited runners to score, for a total of FOUR RUNS, on TOP of the runs they gave up themselves, which is what got them to the 12th inning. And since the Sox didn’t score ANYTHING after the FOURTH inning, you knew it was only a matter of time before someone blinked–and, unfortunately, it was Junichi Tazawa, who pitched very well, only giving up the losing run in 1.2 innings of work–and struck out 3. He deserved better…

I guess Ben finally DID have the stones to pull off a deal that is massive, by any standards. Josh Beckett’s bad attitude–GONE, Carl Crawford and his injuries and his whining–GONE. Adrian Gonzalez, who I really would not have had a problem keeping, although the whole “blaming God” thing was a bit much–GONE. Nick Punto–whatever, didn’t really make that much a difference to me either–but he was never worthy of Nomar’s number–GONE.

So, all told, 4 went and 5 have (or will) come to Red Sox organization. A 9-player deal that I am really shocked actually happened–and the best part? They only have to pay about $12 million to the Dodgers–to save $270 in contracts..Holy…Buckets…

Ben weighs in: “…As we always do this time of year, we’ve started to look at opportunities in the offseason.I think the key is we are absolutely committed to building the best team we can in 2013 and beyond, and we’re going to do that in the most disciplined way possible. When we’ve been at our best, we’ve made good decisions, disciplined decisions. Found value, whether it’s in the free agent market or trade market. And that’s our job to do that. We have a core of players here still, a very talented core of players here still, that will be a part of our next great team, and we’ll do whatever we can to put together the best team for 2013.”

And shockingly, Josh Beckett created a Twitter account for the express purpose to say this: “Even in the tough times, I ran into so many wonderful people that were so awesome. I’m Greatly appreciative to all of you #redsox nation fans.” Interesting.

Nick and Adrian also tweeted their thanks–but Carl Crawford, as far I know, has been silent. Figures

Overall I am thrilled this happened–now let’s just hope the message is received, and that this team turns itself around–Don’t expect miracles this year–but I hope they will return to the formula that worked for them in 2004 and 2007–cultivate the young ‘uns, and carefully choose good, worthy free agents (like Cody Ross) and go from there…

Finally, Today is 73rd anniversary of the 1st televised MLB game, which was a Dodgers/Reds doubleheader, broadcast in 1939, with an estimated 3,000 watching the contests on TV…Thanks for the info, Baseball Talk!

Coming up: Felix Doubront makes his first start, returning from the DL, where he has been since the 9th with a contusion on his right knee–I also think the time off from pitching will help, as I think he was hitting a bit of a wall. Let’s hope it does the trick–the Sox really need him to be effective–and go deep into this game–a no hitter would not be unwelcome…He is opposed by Will Smith. 1st pitch 1:35pm